Freedive Silfra Tour in a Wetsuit

Marvel over Iceland’s hidden underwater world on this freediving tour of Silfra ravine. This trip should not be missed by those who love snorkelling but want more freedom than a standard drysuit tour would allow.

This tour begins in the carpark by Silfra in Þingvellir National Park; you can specify during booking if you would like to be picked up and dropped off. Þingvellir is one of Iceland’s most famous spots, being the only UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Icelandic mainland as it was the original site of what is now the world’s longest-running parliament.

The geology of Þingvellir is of more interest to you, however. Located right between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, it has become riddled with ravines as they have pulled apart. Due to underground meltwater travelling through the porous lava rock from Langjökull glacier, all these ravines fill with water, which has been filtered for decades.

It is thus some of the cleanest and clearest in the world. You can drink it, and see for over 120 metres.

Your guide will tell you all about your route and the safety requirements, before getting you in your wetsuit and providing you with your equipment. Once your group is ready, you will head to the staircase and enter the water.

The first thing you’ll notice is that it is chilly; the second thing is that it's unbelievably beautiful. You’ll warm up as you swim through Silfra, diving to its depths and exploring its dramatic features. For about forty minutes, you’ll immerse yourself in this underwater world, with far more freedom and flexibility than other snorkelers and divers in their drysuits.

Once you get out of the water, you’ll return to the car-park for some hot chocolate to warm up with.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the underwater wonderland of Silfra. Check availability by choosing a date.

Quick facts

Tour information:

Available: All year

Duration:
4 hours

Activities:
Snorkelling, Diving, Sightseeing, Self drive

Difficulty:
Easy

Minimum age:
16 years.

Languages:
English, Icelandic, Danish

Highlights:

Þingvellir is one of the most important sites to visit in Iceland for its landscape, history and cultural value.

The Icelandic parliament was founded in Þingvellir in 930 and remained there for centuries. Þingvellir is surrounded by a beautiful mountain range and is the site of a rift valley, marking the crest of the Mid-Atlantic range. Today it is a natural park, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and considered a vital part of the ‘Golden triangle’ (with Geysir and Gullfoss). Of particular note is the magnificent gorge Almannagjá, which marks the eastern boundary of the North American plate and into which the beautiful waterfall Öxarárfoss falls.

Other notable attractions within the park include the beautiful lake Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland, the Silfra fissure, one of the world's top dives, Þingvallakirkja Church and Gjábakkahellir, one of Iceland's most interesting lava tubes.

Silfra is a fissure filled with fresh springwater within Þingvellir National Park, and one of the country’s most cherished wonders. Snorkelling and diving in its crystal-clear waters is an experience that is both thrilling and relaxing, and it is now considered to be one of the top five dive sites in the world. It takes around an hour to reach Silfra from Reykjavík.

Geography of Silfra

Silfra fissure opened in 1789, due to the movements of the tectonic plates that frame Þingvellir National Park. The North American and Eurasian plates, which run all the way through Iceland, separate at about 2 centimetres per year, and when they do, tear open fissures in the land between them.

The ravines fill with water travelling underground through the porous lava fields in the area, originating from Langjökull glacier about 60 kilometres north. It can take the water up to a century to reach Silfra and this long filtration process results in the water being both extremely clear and drinkable.

Because the water travels underground, it maintains a constant temperature of two to three degrees Celsius and does not freeze over immediately at the source of the spring. Snorkelling and diving tours are thus open throughout the year.

The clarity of the water is what draws most visitors. The visibility can extend to over 100 metres, allowing you to see the canyon walls and bottom like you are floating over a great cathedral.

The last colour that water absorbs is blue, which means that when you look forward in Silfra, it is as if you are looking into an ethereal, vivid, azure world. The clarity also means that sun-rays refract through the surface of the water, creating rainbows on Silfra’s bed when the weather allows.

Snorkelling in Silfra

Snorkelling in Silfra fissure is a highly enjoyable activity, but you must meet some prerequisites to be able to join. These are as follows:

You must be able to swim

You must be over 16

You must be in good physical health

You must be at least 145 centimetres and 45 kilograms

If you are over sixty, you will need a medical waiver

If you are over forty-five with a history of heavy alcohol use and pipe smoking, you will also need a waiver

The most common option for snorkelling is to conduct it in a drysuit like is done on this tour. Drysuits work with a fluffy undersuit to keep your body free from water and insulated against the cold, making the task of swimming through the near-freezing temperature more than achievable.

While drysuit snorkelling is the most comfortable and popular option, a few tours allow you to go through Silfra wearing a wetsuit. Wetsuits, made of neoprene, allow water to surround your body in a thin layer, that your body then heats up and uses to protect you. Though they grant you more flexibility, they are not so warm, so this should be done by the daring; you will also need to be at least 50 kilograms to snorkel in a wetsuit.

In all tours, you wear neoprene on your head and hands to allow for better mobility, a mask and snorkel, and a pair of fins, all of which are provided on site. The course of Silfra takes approximately forty minutes, and there is a gentle current throughout, meaning it requires minimal energy to traverse.

Diving in Silfra

Diving through Silfra gives an extra dimension to its beauty, as you will be able to look up and see the sun glistening upon the surface as you cruise through the crystal clear waters. However, considering the risks associated with diving in cold water and cumbersome equipment, all who partake must meet all the requirements above, as well as one of the following:

You must be a qualified diver with a certification in a drysuit speciality, OR

You must be a qualified diver with at least 10 logged dives in a drysuit conducted over the past two years, signed by an instructor or divemaster.

Þingvallavatn (anglicised as Thingvallavatn, “Lake of the Parliament”) is a rift valley lake located roughly forty minutes drive from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik.

Features of Þingvallavatn.

Þingvallavatn is partially within the boundaries of Þingvellir National Park, Iceland’s largest national park and only one with UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Covering an area of 84 km², Þingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in Iceland with its greatest depth measuring at 114 m. Þingvallavatn is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, on a part of the ridge known as the Reykjanes Ridge. The lake has only one outflow, the river Sog.

Of particular note to biologists and fishermen are the four morphs of Arctic Char that inhabit the lake. The lake’s char are an excellent example of species evolving to fit and adapt to a secluded environment; over ten thousand years, one species of Char has transformed into four different-sub branches. Other fish in the lake include the the Brown Trout and the Three-Spine Stickleback.

History and Geology

Þingvallavatn takes its name from the historical founding of the Althingi, which occurred in 930 AD at what is now known as Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir literally translates to “Fields of Parliament.” The Althingi was the first democratically elected parliament in world history; Icelanders used to travel by foot or horseback simply to congregate at Þingvellir where they would hear the latest laws and judgements of the island.

Þingvellir National Park is also notable for its geology. Given its position on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the park is one of the only places on the planet where visitors can see both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates standing exposed from the earth. Footpaths allow you to get up close and personal to the plates, standing right where the ancient settlers once did. In between the tectonic plates lies fields of dried volcanic rock, blanketed with a thick, yet fragile layer of Icelandic moss.

Scuba Diving at Silfra / David's Crack

Scuba diving around Þingvallavatn revolves around two sites, Silfra Fissure and David’s Crack, the former being one of the most popular spots on the planet for snorkelling and underwater exploration. Silfra Fissure is situated between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and is filled with crystal-clear glacial water originating from the Langjokull ice cap. The water measures at between 2-3 degrees Celsius all year round, a slight current preventing the fissure from ever freezing over.

David’s Crack is found within Þingvallavatn and is often considered the darker and more dramatic cousin of Silfra Fissure, resembling the gorge formation so prevalent across the Mid Atlantic Rift. Only certain tour operators provide David’s Crack, so make sure to do some research beforehand if you are looking to access this dive site during your time in Iceland.

Your pick up time is 1 hour before departure. Please be at your pickup location in time for your departure. Should your pickup location be at a bus stop and you need assistance finding it, seek guidance in your Hotel's reception or contact your tour provider directly.

Included:

All gear needed for Freediving included.

Hot drinks after freedive included

Swimwear underneath freedive suit

What to bring:

Swimwear underneath freedive suit and towels.

Warm clothes after freedive.

Waterproof camera if you want

Good to know:

You do NOT need any knowledge of freedive for this tour! You need to know how to swim. Advanced freedivers enjoy as much as non freedivers.

This tour is not suitable for pregnant women.

Please note that should you have any neurological, circulatory or respiratory problems or underlying diseases, battled any illnesses or have any physical problems you might have to turn in a physicians allowance to participate in this tour. Everybody taking part in our tours will need to sign a medical form at arrival. If you are over 65 years of age and have any medical conditions you will need a medical waiver from a doctor agreeing you are able to do this tour.

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